ETH just had lowest quarterly return since Q2 2022: Blockworks Research

The network is at a “pivotal juncture,” Blockworks Research’s Marc-Thomas Arjoon said

article-image

Akif CUBUK/Shutterstock and Adobe modified by Blockworks

share

This is a segment from the Empire newsletter. To read full editions, subscribe.


For ether, things aren’t looking good. The chart below very clearly shows just how painful of a spot ETH is in right now.

Blockworks Research’s Marc-Thomas Arjoon noted that ETH had its lowest quarterly return since Q2 2022. Yikes. 

Like I said above, some of the pressure is macro, as folks drop their risk assets like hot potatoes to protect themselves. But let’s be clear: Ethereum also has no one to blame but itself. 

“Ethereum’s fundamentals also weakened, with Real Economic Value (REV) dropping 48% month-over-month to $37M, its lowest since July 2020. Despite these setbacks, Ethereum maintained its dominance in the stablecoin market, with a record $124B in market cap and continued growth in on-chain activity,” Arjoon wrote.

The network, Arjoon continued, sits at a “pivotal juncture.”

“As the effects of Pectra unfold and market conditions stabilize, Ethereum has the potential to reclaim momentum and strengthen its role as a cornerstone of the decentralized ecosystem,” he added. 

The one big bonus for Ethereum has been stablecoin and institutional interest. As those continue to dominate the narrative, they also help give the network a much-needed boost. But is that going to be enough?

I guess only time — and Pectra — will tell.


Get the news in your inbox. Explore Blockworks newsletters:

Tags

Decoding crypto and the markets. Daily, with Byron Gilliam.

Upcoming Events

Javits Center North | 445 11th Ave

Tues - Thurs, March 24 - 26, 2026

Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit (DAS) will feature conversations between the builders, allocators, and legislators who will shape the trajectory of the digital asset ecosystem in the US and abroad.

recent research

Research Report Templates (3).png

Research

South Korea is emerging as one of the most important global hubs for regulated digital assets, and Upbit sits at the center of this shift. Naver’s proposed acquisition could create the country’s dominant super app for payments, trading, and digital finance. This report breaks down the numbers, the regulatory tailwinds, the economics of the deal, and why the merger may unlock one of the most attractive asymmetries in Korea’s public markets.

article-image

Lido unveils a new buyback plan while BTC treasury companies slip below mNAV — can either model can truly return value?

article-image

If financial nihilism has driven you into memecoins, zero-day options, and sports betting, consider financial optimism instead

article-image

A new Sui-based protocol promises to unlock Bitcoin’s idle liquidity and eliminate wrapped-token risk

article-image

Could blockchain rails finally realize Ted Nelson’s non-linear, pro-creator “docuverse”?

article-image

What does Uniswap’s proposal to activate protocol fees and unify incentives mean for UNI token holders?

article-image

A recent mistrial illustrates how juries need more background information when it comes to judging complex systems like Ethereum